The man accused of murdering his partner in a Suva apartment has pleaded not guilty. Apisai Driu Madigibuli, who is currently in remand, appeared before Justice Daine Tuiqereqere at the High Court in Suva, facing one count of murder.
The court was informed that on April 25, Madigibuli allegedly killed his partner, Kitiana Baravilala, at the Waimanu Apartment in Suva by stabbing her multiple times in the neck and hand with a kitchen knife.
Madigibuli’s lawyer, Paula Gade, requested time to finalize their grounds for a voire dire in preparation for the pretrial conference (PTC). Gade asked for 14 days, a request that State prosecutor Traveshni Sharma did not oppose.
Gade also informed the court of plans to apply for bail in the next proceeding, as his client had reportedly found suitable sureties to vouch for him. The delay in filing for bail was due to the previous unavailability of a surety.
Justice Tuiqereqere adjourned the case to August 5 for the PTC and to consider Madigibuli’s bail application.